Gujarat SMC foils crime in Navsari after early morning encounter, 4 held, 3 pistols, 27 live rounds seized

In a swift and coordinated operation, the Gujarat State Monitoring Cell (SMC) foiled a suspected criminal plot in Navsari district on Tuesday morning following a brief exchange of fire between the police and a group of armed men.

According to officials, intelligence inputs had suggested the movement of illegal arms and ammunition across the state. The operation was executed under the supervision of DIG Nirlipt Rai and Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda of the State Monitoring Cell, Gandhinagar.

Early in the morning, a team led by Police Inspector Chandrashekhar Panara received a tip-off that a group of wanted criminals from Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had assembled in the parking lot of Mahadev Temple at Gandevi, Bilimora, allegedly to plan a serious offence.

When the SMC team, travelling in a private vehicle, reached the location, four men were spotted in the parking area. On being approached, the suspects allegedly opened fire, discharging two rounds at the police vehicle. In self-defence, Inspector Panara retaliated with two rounds from his service-issued Glock pistol, one of which struck one of the accused, Yash Singh Sunder Singh of Haryana, in the leg.

The police team swiftly overpowered the suspects after a brief scuffle, arresting all four on the spot. The injured accused was given immediate medical treatment. Officials said that both the accused and some members of the SMC team suffered minor injuries during the confrontation.

The arrested men have been identified as:

1. Yash Singh Sunder Singh, resident of Haryana

2. Rishabh Ashok Sharma, resident of Madhya Pradesh

3. Manish Kaluram Kumawat, resident of Rajasthan (currently residing in Gandevi, Navsari)

4. Madan Gopiram Kumawat, resident of Rajasthan

Police stated that Yash Singh and Rishabh Sharma had arrived in Navsari from Madhya Pradesh and Haryana the previous day by train, while Madan Kumawat had travelled from Rajasthan. They were allegedly called to Navsari by Manish Kumawat, who was already residing in the area.

A search of their belongings led to the recovery of three country-made pistols and 27 live rounds. Two fired shells were also recovered from the spot.

Preliminary investigation revealed that all four accused have past criminal records, with cases registered against them under the BNS, NDPS Act, Arms Act, and for offences including murder, extortion and assault.

“Timely intervention of the SMC team prevented a potential violent incident. The accused were planning to execute a major crime. Our team intercepted them before they could act,” a senior officer said.

The situation is now under control. An FIR is being registered, and further investigation is underway to identify other associates and determine the nature of the planned crime.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior officers from the State Monitoring Cell, Gandhinagar, with support from the Navsari district police.